The Coast

Thailand

Pattaya Travel Guide

Pattaya, situated about 62 miles (100km) south of Bangkok, was
once just a quiet coastal fishing town. Today it teems with
holidaymakers, both local and foreign, and is packed with hotels,
shops, restaurants and bars. The tourism boom came with the Vietnam
War, when Pattaya was chosen as a popular venue for American GIs to
enjoy some 'R&R'. The town has developed something of a
reputation for sex tourism, an image it is trying to shake off,
although most of the night-time entertainment is centred around
spicy cabarets, massage parlours, go-go bars, and beer-bars with
girls for hire. The town however, has a multitude of other
attractions on offer, from its rather crowded and well-used beaches
to some first-class restaurants, hundreds of recreational
activities, bazaar-type markets, and excursions to nearby more
peaceful spots and offshore islands.

Holidaymakers will find that shopping in Pattaya is fun and
interesting with many bargains to be had, as is the case in most
major centres in Thailand. The main shopping area is in the south
around the large seaside hotels. Congregated here is a selection of
jewellery stores, tailors, boutiques selling silk and cotton goods,
and handcraft shops. The largest shopping complex is on North
Pattaya Road, designed like a traditional night market and
including a bazaar, handcraft centre and several bars and
restaurants to complement the shops.

Whether your taste runs to English fry-ups or enchiladas,
holidaymakers will find it in Pattaya where a range of eateries
from street vendors to top notch gourmet restaurants cover the
international gamut of cuisines from every country. Not only is the
choice vast, but the budget range is too. For a pittance it is
possible to dine on chicken fried rice or noodles from a streetside
stall, or for a few hundred baht it is possible to go really
upscale and dine in air-conditioned luxury at an elegant hotel
restaurant, like the The Peak on the top floor of the Dusit Resort
Pattaya. An unusual but fun spot is Cabbages and Condoms, a
colourful restaurant serving vegetables grown from its own garden.
Those intent on sticking to local cuisine will find plenty of
mouth-watering Thai options everywhere they look; particularly
recommended is fresh seafood, often available straight from a
seawater tank.

Holidaymakers will note that much of Pattaya's nightlife
revolves around the notorious local sex-oriented industry,
particularly along famed Walking Street in the party zone between
Soi 14 and Soi 16 in south Pattaya. This area is closed to traffic
at night, and buzzes with dozens of beer-bars, go-go clubs, discos,
Thai boxing matches and massage parlours, lit with brilliant neon.
Around the beach road the scene is almost as hectic. Extravagant
and flamboyant cabarets and drag shows are extremely popular all
over the city. Gay-only bars are centred on an area known as Boyz
Town. Those looking for some more traditional evening entertainment
can kick up their heels at an Irish pub, like The Little Irishman
or Kilkenny's, or soak up some jazz at the Hopf Brew House on Beach
Road.

Like any popular seaside holiday resort, Pattaya has plenty of
activities to amuse and amaze, both in and out of the water. Among
the most popular pursuits are bungy-jumping, paragliding,
jet-skiing, golf, cycling, fishing and elephant rides. Visitors can
also whizz round the track at the Pattaya Kart Speedway or try
their hand at one of numerous indoor bowling alleys. Holidaymakers
who enjoy soaking up local culture can sign up for yoga, tai chi or
Thai boxing courses, take a Thai language or cookery course, or
indulge in some relaxing spa treatments, massages or meditation
groups.

Pattaya is also a popular place for scuba diving in Thailand.
The area is sheltered from the monsoons that decrease visibility in
other areas, meaning diving is a year-round activity in Pattaya.
There are several sites for wreck diving, considered the highlight
of diving in Pattaya, but there are many other excellent dive
sites, including the popular Koh Man Winchai. Divers in Pattaya are
likely to encounter a variety of marine life, including octopus,
clownfish, stingrays, eels and tawny nurse sharks.

Navigation

Pattaya Travel Guide

Pattaya, situated about 62 miles (100km) south of Bangkok, was
once just a quiet coastal fishing town. Today it teems with
holidaymakers, both local and foreign, and is packed with hotels,
shops, restaurants and bars. The tourism boom came with the Vietnam
War, when Pattaya was chosen as a popular venue for American GIs to
enjoy some 'R&R'. The town has developed something of a
reputation for sex tourism, an image it is trying to shake off,
although most of the night-time entertainment is centred around
spicy cabarets, massage parlours, go-go bars, and beer-bars with
girls for hire. The town however, has a multitude of other
attractions on offer, from its rather crowded and well-used beaches
to some first-class restaurants, hundreds of recreational
activities, bazaar-type markets, and excursions to nearby more
peaceful spots and offshore islands.

Holidaymakers will find that shopping in Pattaya is fun and
interesting with many bargains to be had, as is the case in most
major centres in Thailand. The main shopping area is in the south
around the large seaside hotels. Congregated here is a selection of
jewellery stores, tailors, boutiques selling silk and cotton goods,
and handcraft shops. The largest shopping complex is on North
Pattaya Road, designed like a traditional night market and
including a bazaar, handcraft centre and several bars and
restaurants to complement the shops.

Whether your taste runs to English fry-ups or enchiladas,
holidaymakers will find it in Pattaya where a range of eateries
from street vendors to top notch gourmet restaurants cover the
international gamut of cuisines from every country. Not only is the
choice vast, but the budget range is too. For a pittance it is
possible to dine on chicken fried rice or noodles from a streetside
stall, or for a few hundred baht it is possible to go really
upscale and dine in air-conditioned luxury at an elegant hotel
restaurant, like the The Peak on the top floor of the Dusit Resort
Pattaya. An unusual but fun spot is Cabbages and Condoms, a
colourful restaurant serving vegetables grown from its own garden.
Those intent on sticking to local cuisine will find plenty of
mouth-watering Thai options everywhere they look; particularly
recommended is fresh seafood, often available straight from a
seawater tank.

Holidaymakers will note that much of Pattaya's nightlife
revolves around the notorious local sex-oriented industry,
particularly along famed Walking Street in the party zone between
Soi 14 and Soi 16 in south Pattaya. This area is closed to traffic
at night, and buzzes with dozens of beer-bars, go-go clubs, discos,
Thai boxing matches and massage parlours, lit with brilliant neon.
Around the beach road the scene is almost as hectic. Extravagant
and flamboyant cabarets and drag shows are extremely popular all
over the city. Gay-only bars are centred on an area known as Boyz
Town. Those looking for some more traditional evening entertainment
can kick up their heels at an Irish pub, like The Little Irishman
or Kilkenny's, or soak up some jazz at the Hopf Brew House on Beach
Road.

Like any popular seaside holiday resort, Pattaya has plenty of
activities to amuse and amaze, both in and out of the water. Among
the most popular pursuits are bungy-jumping, paragliding,
jet-skiing, golf, cycling, fishing and elephant rides. Visitors can
also whizz round the track at the Pattaya Kart Speedway or try
their hand at one of numerous indoor bowling alleys. Holidaymakers
who enjoy soaking up local culture can sign up for yoga, tai chi or
Thai boxing courses, take a Thai language or cookery course, or
indulge in some relaxing spa treatments, massages or meditation
groups.

Pattaya is also a popular place for scuba diving in Thailand.
The area is sheltered from the monsoons that decrease visibility in
other areas, meaning diving is a year-round activity in Pattaya.
There are several sites for wreck diving, considered the highlight
of diving in Pattaya, but there are many other excellent dive
sites, including the popular Koh Man Winchai. Divers in Pattaya are
likely to encounter a variety of marine life, including octopus,
clownfish, stingrays, eels and tawny nurse sharks.